Sports Illustrated issue nets pupil a suspension

BELPRE, Ohio -- A sixth-grader started serving a three-day suspension yesterday after refusing a lesser punishment for bringing the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue to school, the school's superintendent said.

Justin Reyes had the magazine in the gymnasium at Belpre Middle School before classes Feb. 18, and principal Kathy Garrison cited him for violating school policy on nonverbal harassment and possession of lewd or suggestive material, Superintendent Tim Swarr said.

Garrison ordered the 12-year-old boy to spend two days at an alternative school where students from several area districts are sent when they get into trouble.

But Swarr said Justin and his mother, Nicole Reyes, refused to accept the alternative school punishment, so the penalty was increased to three days of out-of-school suspension.